December 2005
Howdy! My first post here after being recommended this website by a colleague at work.
A couple of months ago my car went in for its MoT. It was just under 4 years old and had done around 63,500 miles - the cambelt was changed at 60,000 miles over the summer.
The garage reported some "noise" in the engine and asked if they could investigate. I told them to do so and they reported that "found camshaft to have excessive wear which has caused damage to the tappets, possibly failure of the camshaft hardening" for which they charged me a large sum of money to replace the camshaft, tappets & seals. Over the phone, they told me that there appeared to be no problem with the oil supply to the cylinder head so there was no apparent cause for this problem.
Seat, when approached by the garage for a goodwill payment, said "the car's too old & has travelled too far". Which left me rather surprised that a 4 year car should, presumably, expect to suffer a failed camshaft. The car was bought new & has been regularly serviced at the Seat garage it was bought from.
So, what I'd like to know from you good folks in the first place is can anybody suggest a garage in the Farnborough (Hants) / Reading area where I could get an independent report on the failed camshaft?
If the hardening really has failed, are there any suggested approaches to getting some sort of recompense from Seat? Or am I really not on with a hope as the car's "too old"?
Thanks in advance,
James Read more
Well we have all commented on it, garages all over with various pumps out of use, and even closed.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4562158.stm
Expect to see your local garage run out from time to time if you live in the midlands /south east.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF > Read more
At least we do not have a problem with McD supplies.
tinyurl.com/aj2pb
Have a Nissan Micra, P Reg, approx 49K miles. Last day or so, been having trouble starting it. Had a new battery fitted last week,so I don't think it's that. The engine won't even turn over, there's nothing happening when the key turns, after a few goes, it eventually start and the electric clock resets itself. I'm a complete novice when it comes to the workings of a car, but could this be the alternator? Read more
Thanks for the advice. Took it to a local garage, turns out to be the terminal to the battery that was loose, all it needed was tightening up - told you I was a novice!
I've decided to replace my 98 Mondeo ST 24 but have already run into a problem; too many choices! I started looking at Audi (A4 and A6), VW Passat, Volvo, Saab, Mazda MX6, Honda Accord, Nissan Primera... not too keen on BMW's or Jags, just because of the type of person who normally drives them -(;0)
I've got about £10k to spend, if I get a good trade in on the Mondeo and also shift the Shogun - I've been looking at Diesels for fuel economy, performance isn't too important although I've always loved the V6 sound -(:0). Gadgets are compelling, but I've almost disregarded the Primera despite its tech, because it looks so dull!
So come on then - give me your pointers and guidance. I hope this thread can help other like me who are helpless at making decisions!
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I'm looking to replace my Mk2 Mondeo next year. I've found it to be a fantastic car and still love it, but feel moving to a BMW 5 Series is a logical upgrade. I've considered a Mk3 Mondeo but it doesn't really offer me anything my Mk2 doesn't already.
Whereas a 5 Series will be an improvement in every way bar running costs and reliability. They do an engine to suit everyone - but for you, check out the 525d or the 530d :)
I just found this on another site.
FWD IS JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T DRIVE
4WD IS JUST CHEATING (But good in snow)
RWD IS JUST SO MUCH FUN (But not in snow)
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Ah - but if I had a FWD that would stay at home as well to protect my no claims from the ice skating public.
My 1991 Passat speedo overreads by about 10-12% (should be 10% or less) and all four tryes need changing.
Now the ones that are recommended in thew owners manual are either 185/65R14 or 195/60R14. I was hoping someone could tell me the diameter of each of these sizes and if one is smaller by a reasonable margin I may be able to improve my speedo accuracy....
thanks
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Thanks,
Looked at My Tyres and the 195/60 option was not cost effective.
Well I hope everyone has had a good couple of days - we certainly did, apart from one thing.
On Xmas Eve, I received a Notice To Owner saying that on 24th November a Penalty Charge was issued as I had been allegedly involved in a parking contravention, namely failing to clearly display a valid parking ticket at my local supermarket's pay and display car park.
First, that Penalty Charge was either never issued or never presented to me or left on my car. Apparently though, since I did not respond to it within 14 days of its issue, I have lost my right to a 50% discount, and I am now being fined for £60.
Second, the chances of my not having a valid ticket are so small as to be negligible - it's so much a part of the routine of parking there that I simply cannot believe I forgot to get one.
I have to respond within 28 days of their letter, either paying the £60 or 'making representations', or they will increase the fine by a further 50%.
I cannot prove whether or not I was in that carpark at the time stated, although it is possible. However, after all this time I do not have the old ticket stub to produce as evidence.
What I would like to know first is what should I do? I cannot prove that I had a valid ticket, and neither can I prove that no penalty was issued - it's my word against theirs as far as I can see.
The form I have to complete if making representations has boxes to tick, the only ones of which are slightly relevant are that 'the contravention did not occur' which I cannot prove, and that 'the parking attendant was not permitted from serving the penalty', which, since they allege the PCN WAS issued doesn't seem valid either.
What should my first step be please?
I don't want to just bite the bullet and pay, but also don't want to end up with a further increased fine.
I've read on these pages sometime about the possibility of asking them for photographic evidence - would the inspector take pictures as proof of all alleged offences? Otherwise, I cannot see any way of proving my case.
What would happen if they had indeed issued a PCN but for example it had blown off my car or someone else had removed it?
Sorry for waffling a bit but would be ever so grateful for any advice.
Thanks,
HF
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Yes Bobby. You are in Scotland ;-)
Hope everyone's had a good and safe Christmas.
My sister is looking to change her (troublesome) '03 Vectra for something which will not have niggly little faults. We have drawn up this shortlist, any comments / experiences / additions to shortlist that we should be thinking about? Main requisites are auto box, reasonably economical (do the 2 go together?!) reasonable servicing but mainly reliability. Looking for 2nd hand, with trade-in on the Vectra.
On the Mondeo front, I have one and love it and my wife has a Focus. Slight concern that when we all get together it will look like a Ford showroom!
Thanks in advance for advice!
Yoby Read more
Out that list for me would be the Accord. However have a go at a Primera too, as well as the Alfa 156 which in diesel form is not as troublesome as some people would lead you to believe.
Alternative - what about a good used/demo Lexus IS200???
A Few Questions:
Engines - which one do I go for 1.1 or 1.5 diesel
Where do I find a cheap one
Which is the best trim level (there seem to be hundreds)
Which is the best buy
Any other comments or suggestions welcome.
thanks Read more
SWMBO has an R reg 106 1.1 XN. It is pretty basic, but reliable and fun to drive (especially out of town). The only fault I can find is that the steering feels very heavy - although I am used to power steering and she doesn't complain. As a cheap first car for a 17 year old I would have thought it was perfect.
It is for sale too...
Hi. Have done a quick search and can't find anything directly relating to this. I was wondering if I could get some ideas re the cause of this problem. My Fiesta T reg, 1.4l 16v Zetec-s engined Fiesta has broken down. It has 36000mile on the clock. The other day the engine started playing up a bit like it was being fuel starved or something, it was also down on power and sounded a bit like a lawn mower ie not right. When blipping the throttle at idle there was some strange burbling and back popping from the exhaust as though the exhaust was gone. Then I was driving along and the engine lost power and cut out-I haven't been able to get the engine to restart since then. It will turn over freely on the key and I can hear the fuel pump spool up to pressurise the fuel system when the ignition is switched on but it will not start. Doesn't sound like any mechanical nastiness from within the engine. I've looked at the exhaust (albeit not very closely) but it seems intact enough along it's length, it's 18mnths old. All fluids are fine and nothing seems obviously out of place. There is fuel in the tank.
From the problem first occuring to the car conking out- <15miles.
I have looked in the rocker cover and the cams are turning so nothing like the cam belt it doesn't seem. I haven't checked to see if there's a spark. I haven't checked if the fuel filter is clogged or something like that.
Any ideas or known common faults of this nature on this model? Any suggestions of where to start are appreciated-this is a bad time of year for your motor to break down! I'm pretty handy with a spanner so if I have some ideas of where to look I can roll my sleeves up tomorrow
Thanks. Read more
CP
As there's no spark you can ignore the blocked cat test re the Lambda probe. [The point of removing it is to let any backed-up exhaust gases vent through the hole.]
The crank sensor reads the back of the flywheel and is mounted low down on the front of the engine. Check it's plug for water ingress. Checking the ECU [passenger kick-panel; drill the pop-rivets] and it's plug for signs of water might be a good idea too.
There are a varied number of fuses involved depending on the engine code and exact month of build. Consult your handbook for the appropriate numbers and check that both they and their matching fusebox contacts are OK.
Browse
Thanks Aprilia ... I spoke to the local CAB who suggested I may be able to use the "(not) fit for purpose" argument with Seat. However, I'd like to be sure of my facts before following that up. As you can imagine, I'm not best pleased that a part that should run for years and years (or miles and miles) has failed.
I've taken a look at the camshaft itself. The worn metal (across the central 80% or so) of each of the cams is slightly darker and shinier than the unworn at the edges. For myself, I can see a tiny mark almost (but not quite) in a line across three of the central cams but there's not much "feel" in them. They don't really register to the touch. In fact, there are far bigger bumps where the pointed end of the cams becomes more rounded. For my (untrained) eyes, I can't see anything wrong with it.
Hmmm.